Mark Cueto feels the force of two Italian tackles in Rome © Getty Images

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Matches: Italy 12 - 17 England

Players/Officials: Mark Cueto | Nick Mallett

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: England | Italy

England wing Mark Cueto believes that victory was all that counted as they scrapped to a 17-12 Six Nations result against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

Martin Johnson's men led 14-12 heading into the final five minutes after a Mathew Tait try, but were guilty of a conservative kicking gameplan that allowed Italy to dominate long periods of the game and see off a 10-minute spell with 14 men following Martin Castrogiovanni's sin-binning.

"You are in a no-win situation against Italy," Cueto said. "If you win like we did here everyone is booing as you come off and expects you to win by more. If you win by more everyone says 'no disrespect, but it is only Italy'. We have won the game, we are two from two which is where we want to be.

"We are frustrated with how the game went. You can't disrespect the Italians. We knew exactly what they were going to do and unfortunately we allowed them to do it in a way. They are niggly, they frustrate you and they make it difficult to play. But the bottom line is we got a win."

Italy coach Nick Mallett praised his side's tactical nous in negating their man disadvantage and also the leadership of skipper Leonardo Ghiraldini, who took on the mantle following a long-term injury to the brilliant Sergio Parisse.

"I thought my team played tactically very well at that stage of the game," Mallett said. "It wasn't easy but we did a good job. I am very proud of them. The team has never changed this positive approach.

"Leonardo has done a good job as captain considering the absence of Sergio Parisse. We have a very special group and I am very happy because each player that plays always wants to improve."